Born in Leicester he was educated at the Alderman Newton School and studied architecture at the Leicester School of Art. He entered the architectural practice of Professor Beresford Pite in 1901. In 1905 he visited Italy, having won travelling scholarships from both the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal College of Art. His travels led him to give up architecture in favour of a career as a painter. He spent the following year in Paris studying at Julien’s atelier and under other masters. He was elected to membership of the Royal Watercolour Society, the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Arts. He was Master of the Art Workers’ Guild for 1936. He was a successful illustrator and commercial artist, holding shows at  Agnew & Sons Gallery, Beaux Arts Gallery, Colnaghi & Co., Chenil Galleries, Goupil Gallery and Arthur Tooth & Sons. A memorial exhibition was held at the Fine Art Society in 1944 and retrospectives were held in 1977 at Leighton House and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.